Posted on 06/25/2016 10:26:57 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Supporters listen as U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to voters at a rally at the The Myrtle Beach Sports Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, February 19, 2016. REUTERS/Randall Hill Although a few political analysts have been focusing on the white working class for years, it is only in response to the rise of Donald Trump that this large group of Americans has begun to receive the attention it deserves. Now, thanks to a comprehensive survey that the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) undertook in collaboration with the Brookings Institution, we can speak with some precision about the distinctive attitudes and preferences of these voters.
There are different ways of defining the white working class. Along with several other survey researchers, PRRI defines this group as non-Hispanic whites with less than a college degree, with the additional qualification of being paid by the hour or by the job rather than receiving a salary. No definition is perfect, but this one works pretty well. Most working-class whites have incomes below $50,000; most whites with BAs or more have incomes above $50,000. Most working-class whites rate their financial circumstances as only fair or poor; most college educated whites rate their financial circumstances as good or excellent. Fifty-four percent of working-class whites think of themselves as working class or lower class, compared to only 18 percent of better-educated whites.
The PRRI/Brookings study finds that in many respects, these two groups of white voters see the world very differently. For example, 54 percent of college-educated whites think that America’s culture and way of life have improved since the 1950s; 62 percent of white working-class Americans think that it has changed for the worse. Sixty-eight percent of working-class whites, but only 47 percent of college-educated whites, believe that the American way of life needs to be protected against foreign influences. Sixty-six percent of working-class whites, but only 43 percent of college-educated whites, say that discrimination against whites has become as big a problem as discrimination against blacks and other minorities. In a similar vein, 62 percent of working-class whites believe that discrimination against Christians has become as big a problem as discrimination against other groups, a proposition only 38 percent of working-class whites endorse.
This brings us to the issue of immigration. By a margin of 52 to 35 percent, college-educated whites affirm that today’s immigrants strengthen our country through their talent and hard work. Conversely, 61 percent of white working-class voters say that immigrants weaken us by taking jobs, housing, and health care. Seventy-one percent of working-class whites think that immigrants mostly hurt the economy by driving down wages, a belief endorsed by only 44 percent of college-educated whites. Fifty-nine percent of working-class whites believe that we should make a serious effort to deport all illegal immigrants back to their home countries; only 33 percent of college-educated whites agree. Fifty-five percent of working-class whites think we should build a wall along our border with Mexico, while 61 percent of whites with BAs or more think we should not. Majorities of working-class whites believe that we should make the entry of Syrian refugees into the United States illegal and temporarily ban the entrance of non-American Muslims into our country; about two-thirds of college-educated whites oppose each of these proposals.
Opinions on trade follow a similar pattern. By a narrow margin of 48 to 46 percent, college-educated whites endorse the view that trade agreements are mostly helpful to the United States because they open up overseas markets while 62 percent of working-class whites believe that they are harmful because they send jobs overseas and drive down wages.
It is understandable that working-class whites are more worried that they or their families will become victims of violent crime than are whites with more education. After all, they are more likely to live in neighborhoods with higher levels of social disorder and criminal behavior. It is harder to explain why they are also much more likely to believe that their families will fall victim to terrorism. To be sure, homegrown terrorist massacres of recent years have driven home the message that it can happen to anyone, anywhere. We still need to explain why working-class whites have interpreted this message in more personal terms.
The most plausible interpretation is that working-class whites are experiencing a pervasive sense of vulnerability. On every front—economic, cultural, personal security—they feel threatened and beleaguered. They seek protection against all the forces they perceive as hostile to their cherished way of life—foreign people, foreign goods, foreign ideas, aided and abetted by a government they no longer believe cares about them. Perhaps this is why fully 60 percent of them are willing to endorse a proposition that in previous periods would be viewed as extreme: the country has gotten so far off track that we need a leader who is prepared to break so rules if that is what it takes to set things right.
One or more answers may suffice ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Meh5BXBdx_A&list=RDMeh5BXBdx_A&index=2
Fearful? No more worried about having to work an extra day a week just to pay for all their free $hit when they breed like rats and cause more crime, overcrowd us and drain our natural resources while getting a little too big for their pants and acting like spoiled brats.
“The most plausible interpretation is that working-class whites are experiencing a pervasive sense of vulnerability”
A sense? No. It’s a fact
This writer might be sensing a vulnerability. I’m sure the Mexicans are.
No. It’s over. Our country is going to be America. And with borders. Not a minute before 20 January 12 noon EST but immediately after.
At least Brookings is looking into it.
Liberals like Obama just dismiss middle class whites as bitter clingers.
When “immigration” really means a loss of national sovereignty why wouldn’t any one be worried?
Looking into what? This is open borders nonsense
They do not mean legal immigration what they are really talking about is a loss of sovereignty
And by the by brookings is as left as they come
I think the article accurately reported how middle-class whites feel threatened, and did not dismiss it as unfounded.
With the rise of the Third Reich, the German Jews are fearful.
I know they’re leftist. That’s why I remarked on the usual dismissive attitude of liberals.
It is not a matter of feeling dismissed.
Starting decades ag the open borders people have been pushing their agenda. The facts are that massive immigration destroys national sovereignty. Why isn’t any Arab country taking them?
All it does is accuse white people of being anti immigration. Why joy poll other Americans?
Wrong! Obama doesn’t dismiss whites people. He demonizes them.
Yes. The Jews were Naziphobic.
It didn't accuse me enough. I'd like to mass deport all the illegals (and most of the legals).
Correction noted.
I am a college educated white however my education came BEFORE universities filled our heads full of propaganda favorable towards globalism and climate change!!! So being college educated today means NOTHING to me many of these graduates know NOTHING of our history, look at our journalism grads for crying out loud they are IDIOTS!!!!!
College educated whites are more likely to feel guilty for being white and successful. Having more than most, liberal college indoctrination and a general lack of common sense account for the lack of fear over immigration and terrorism.
The white working class is footing all the bills.
Much like with armies, fear isn't found in greater numbers, it's found in lesser numbers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.